Gifted Children/Lazyness and giftedness

QuestionMy 4 year old son has been evaluated and tagged as highly gifted by local Psychology University. Since he was one year old, he learned things, and did things, that were way ahead pairs.But in school and at home, he doesn't want to do almost anything. He's teacher complains he never finishes any work, and he's very slow doing anything. At home, he just concentrates in things that he loves, and that are a knew challenge for him, but he almost doesn't play, doesn't draw, doesn't color, and if i let him, he would spend all day in computer or watching TV. He's also very active, and i'm worrying because he never stands still, he's always jumping, and restless, he cannot seat quiet for a meal, even a quick one, or even for simple tasks. He often hurts himself, because of being so restless. Is this common among gifted children? Should i worry for some kind of disorder?
How can i motivate him when he has to learn new things, that doesn't interest him? Sometimes i can do this with a reward, specially with candy, but i don't want to spend all his life rewarding him, in order for him to do he's work.
We live in a very small town, in Portugal, and there aren't any gifted specialists here where we live. i would appreciate any help or suggestions.

AnswerHello,

You did the right thing by writing. It will be Thursday or Friday when I can give you an individual answer. Until that time, these are the best for you to read; the moms have the same kind of issues that you're dealing with:

Expertise

No questions are off-limits. My strengths are understanding what questioners are really trying to ask, knowing the right questions to get to useful answers, and putting complicated, subject-specific words and concepts into language accessible to lay-persons. The topic is fascinating and can be surprising, the opposite of what might logically seem expected of giftedness. I am skilled in identifying giftedness at any age, including very early in life.

Experience

Children constitute about one-third of the patients in a Family Medicine practice. I was Director of Children's and Women's Public Health Education Programs with the Northeast Texas Public Health District. I have two highly gifted children, one of whom attended Roeper School, listed first in this site's Sponsored Links. I was the health expert for Roeper's board of directors; I maintain contacts there. I'm on the board of directors of several organizations of which I'm a member. I spent a summer as the Medical Director of a camp for kids with ADD, ADHD, and psychiatric disorders. Editor, Medical Economics Publishing Co.
licensure to teach K-12 in Oklahoma, with added qualification in Journalism

OrganizationsChampions for Children: Advocacy, resources, quality assessment, for early childhood daycare (Board of Directors).
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Michigan Academy of Family Physicians Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.
READ: Advocacy, education, resources for teaching and encouraging literacy in adults.
East Texas Network for Children (Planning Board).

Awards and HonorsTwo official commendations awarded by United States Army for service and
contributions to young soldiers and families.
Publishing Internship, Medical Economics Publishing Company.
Research Internship, Hastings Institute of Society, Ethics, and the Life Sciences.
Woman Medical Student of the Year.
Numerous others.

Past/Present ClientsAs above in experiences, publications and awards. Many thousands of patient/family encounters.